Feds: Man told undercover agents he wanted to have sex with girls

Federal authorities say a Central Florida man communicated with two undercover detectives posing online as fathers of teenagers, and told the agents he wanted to have sex with the girls.

Justin Herring was recently arrested when he showed up at a Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in Altamonte Springs, where he arranged to meet one of the undercover detectives and his supposed daughter, court documents said.

Authorities began investigating Herring in March, when an undercover agent saw an ad he placed on a social-networking site known for being a place for pedophiles to gather.

The agent responded to the ad and said he is the father of a 14-year-old. Documents said Herring replied and said he'd like to meet them.

Herring subsequently told the agent sexual things he would like to do with his supposed teenager daughter, and asked, "How do I know this won't be a to catch a predator thing?" — referring to the television show about sexual predator stings, court documents said.

Later, the undercover agent told Herring about another father of girls he met online. Herring, 30, told the undercover agent to give the father his screen name.

Herring didn't know it, but that other father was another undercover detective.

On June 6, Herring sent this supposed father a message: "Hi my name is Justin and our friend thinks we have things in common. I also live in orlando."

The agent told Herring his daughters are 10 and 13 years old.

Herring "stated some hesitance" about having sex with the younger girl, but didn't entirely rule it out, court documents said.

Herring told the undercover agent sexual things he wanted to do with his daughters

The agent and Herring agreed to meet at the Altamonte Springs restaurant June 7.

"I have wanted a young girl for so long to finally touch her is going to be great…" Herring communicated to the undercover detective.

That evening, Herring showed up at the Perkins, introduced himself to the undercover agent and shook his hand.

Court documents said Herring admitted to traveling to meet the undercover agent, his 13-year-old daughter, and he planned to have sex with the girl.

Herring also told agents he was also sexually communicating with a 14-year-old girl via a gaming system.

"Herring said that he took full responsibility for his actions, but would not have forced either the 13 year-old or 10 year-old girl to have sex with him," court documents said. "Herring stated that he only would have had sex with them if, 'they seemed to be enjoying it.'"